Developed with the Musicians’ Union and Music Managers Forum, the UKAT Fund will act as a vehicle to distribute artist-allocated revenues collected by the recently-launched LIVE Trust.
The fund will help ease the “cost of touring crisis” and allow bands, solo artists and artists who perform as DJs to apply for financial support for grassroots shows. In doing so, it aims to boost artist development, audience engagement and sustain the wider live music supply chain.
The UKAT Fund is also open to receive donations and commercial funding from those who wish to channel funds directly to support artists.
Why do we need this? Rising costs mean Grassroots artists can’t afford to tour → therefore new audiences are not being developed → when artists don’t tour, those that they employ are out of work → the whole music industry suffers.
Claire Mera-Nelson, Director, Music, Arts Council England:
“Arts Council England welcomes the creation of the UK Artist Touring Fund by the Featured Artists Coalition and their partners. This positive step in support of the independence and entrepreneurship of artists is an important contribution to sustaining a thriving grassroots music sector. The development of the next generation of UK talent depends on independent artists being able to build their fan-base through touring, and reaching audiences wherever they are across the country.”
Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum:
"The MMF is very excited to be backing the FAC’s fund to directly support grassroots artist touring. So many artists and their managers work unpaid on loss-making tours for many years in the hope of growing a fanbase, developing their live performance and creating long term careers. They are having to make tough financial decisions to make ends meet, and in many cases artists play many fewer dates than they would like around the UK due to the upfront costs of touring. The FAC's new UKAT Fund will act as an essential part of the LIVE Trust distribution process so that managers have an open and transparent mechanism in which to apply for touring support on behalf of their artists and ensure everyone is fairly paid for their work on these tours. We look forward to the fund being operational in the coming weeks and months as it is so urgently needed."
Claire Mera-Nelson, Director, Music, Arts Council England:
“Arts Council England welcomes the creation of the UK Artist Touring Fund by the Featured Artists Coalition and their partners. This positive step in support of the independence and entrepreneurship of artists is an important contribution to sustaining a thriving grassroots music sector. The development of the next generation of UK talent depends on independent artists being able to build their fan-base through touring, and reaching audiences wherever they are across the country.”
Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, Musicians’ Union:
“'We are delighted to partner with the FAC to ensure that touring artists, and the backing musicians who perform with them, are funded to do what they do best. The past five years have been extremely difficult for musicians due to COVID and the rising cost of touring, both within the UK and overseas. We want to make sure there is clear and transparent access to support, not only for those who book and platform artists, but for artists themselves and the huge teams they employ.”
Tom Kiehl, CEO, UK Music:
“Artists are increasingly finding it challenging in tough financial circumstances to tour, hone their craft and find opportunities. The introduction of a UK Artist Touring Fund is a very positive development by the Featured Artist Coalition, Musicians’ Union and Music Managers Forum, putting artists firmly in the driving seat. If we don’t support the grassroots of the music industry, our ability to develop future artists is under threat.”
Jon Collins, CEO, LIVE:
“Addressing the crisis in grassroots music requires all parts of the UK live music industry to play their part in generating funds, identifying solutions, and driving support to those who need it most. As LIVE board members, we already work closely with FAC, MMF and the MU and we look forward to learning more about the UKAT Fund as plans are put in place. Momentum is building behind the LIVE Trust, and we would encourage all who are involved in arena and stadia shows to offer their support. Funds generated will be passed through to expert programmes such as this to maximise impact and accelerate their excellent work.”
David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition:
“The FAC has established the UKAT Fund in preparation for when the LIVE Trust becomes operational and starts to distribute revenue from the incoming ticket contributions. It will ensure that any funding allocated for grassroots artists can be distributed in the most effective, transparent and efficient way possible. By helping keep shows on the road, our three fundamental aims are to support artist development, boost audience engagement and help sustain the wider live music supply chain.”
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